Analog capture for compro E900f: a big filtercheck.log

[V_J]

Hello,

I'm trying to add the analog capture features of my Compro E900f, but have some problems. Installing SoftPVR (I followed option 2) did not make it show up in the devices list.

The output of Filtercheck is quite big, and I am actually not sure what to add to "AnalogDevice.xml"...

The card is found as "7164 BDA Analog Capture", and it shows twice in the category "Checking AM_KSCATEGORY_CAPTURE filters", perhaps because the card has dual tuners. The category "Checking AM_KSCATEGORY_ENCODER filters" has 11 entries, the category "Checking AM_KSCATEGORY_MULTIPLEXER filters" has 5 entries; all of them repeated twice and finally "Checking AM_KSCATEGORY_CROSSBAR filters" has 2 entries. I've attached the filtercheck file (renamed it to TXT to attach it).

Any suggestions on what to put in the xml file?

Thanks!

Jörg

[johnsonx42]

this device looks just like the analog half of an Hauppauge HVR-2250, except with generic filter names. Try:

Code:

    <Device filter="7164 BDA Analog Capture">
        <Name>compro E900f</Name>
        <Type>HARD_ENCODE</Type>
                <FilterEncoder>7164 MPEG2 TS Encoder/Mux</FilterEncoder>
    </Device>

[johnsonx42]

by the way, was that your entire filtercheck log, or did you edit it down? assuming the card has shared digital tuners you are using as well, you'll need to post the entire filtercheck.log (.zip it if it's too big to post as .txt). You'll need a DeviceRules.xml entry as well to make NextPVR understand that you have 2 tuners that can be used as analog OR digital, rather than a card with 2 digital AND 2 analog tuners that can all be used at once. (but you can definitely get started with just the AnalogDevices entry)

[V_J]

Thanks for the reply!
Why did you select that FilterEncoder? Would there be any point in entries to AnalogDevice.xml using the other encoders? Or am I missing the point...

It was the entire log. The computer contains the e900f and a Technisast Skystar USB HD.
In NextPVR, the e900f results in 2 digital tuners but no analog ones. However, as there is no analog signal here anymore, I do not care about that. I just need the DVB-T aspects.

I will give the modified xml a go (not at that computer now), perhaps tonight but if not in the weekend. I'll post back results.

Thanks!

[johnsonx42]

In NextPVR, the e900f results in 2 digital tuners but no analog ones. However, as there is no analog signal here anymore, I do not care about that. I just need the DVB-T aspects.

color me confused. if you have no analog signal and don't care about the analog tuners showing up, then why are you asking for help to setup your analog tuners?

I do now see that the filtercheck log was complete, I was just looking at it backwards.

leaving aside my confusion, and assuming you do indeed want to use your analog capture devices in some capacity, here's the DeviceRules.xml entry you'll need as well:

Code:

        <!-- compro E900f -->
        <Filter name="7164 BDA Analog Capture" resource="compro E900f" />
        <Filter name="7164 BDA DVBT Tuner" resource="compro E900f" />

[sub]

In NextPVR, the e900f results in 2 digital tuners but no analog ones. However, as there is no analog signal here anymore, I do not care about that. I just need the DVB-T aspects.

You shouldn't need to worry about making changes to you xmltv files then. You should be good to go with the default install.

[V_J]

color me confused. if you have no analog signal and don't care about the analog tuners showing up, then why are you asking for help to setup your analog tuners?

The card also has analog video inputs: composite; s-video and component. While I don't need the analog tuners, I would like to be able to use those inputs, but I cannot select them in the DVB-T device.

With your suggestion added to the AnalogDevices.xml file, I get 2 analog devices (both allow access to the same inputs, so I just need one). In the device setup of the analog device, I can select "add channel", and then select the input source in the drop down box: it can be svideo, composite or fixed channel. So now I have access to the input.
(I did not change DeviceRules.xml)

So very happy that I have the analog capture inputs available now. However, the component input is not shown, but in filtercheck.log there was an entry that relates to YUV. Any idea how to get that one as well?

Thanks!

[johnsonx42]

I get 2 analog devices (both allow access to the same inputs, so I just need one).

assuming this compro E900f is similar to a Hauppauge HVR-2200, you'll probably find that the analog inputs available on the card are connected to one of the analog capture devices; the second may allow selection of those same inputs, but they aren't actually there.

(I did not change DeviceRules.xml)

this isn't necessary to make the analog capture device work, as you've found. However, without that entry, NextPVR may attempt to use the same capture device for both analog and digital at the same time which won't work. The results may range from an otherwise harmless failure to start a device, to one recording stomping on the other, to the whole thing locking up.

However, the component input is not shown, but in filtercheck.log there was an entry that relates to YUV. Any idea how to get that one as well?

as to the component input, last time this came up sub said it's not supported; the code doesn't currently enumerate or route the "Video YRYBY In" pin (on the crossbar).

[mvallevand]

For the component input if you can create a graph that it that plays live tv with graphStudioNext you could use Network Recorder with the SageGraphRecorder.

Martin

[V_J]

assuming this compro E900f is similar to a Hauppauge HVR-2200, you'll probably find that the analog inputs available on the card are connected to one of the analog capture devices; the second may allow selection of those same inputs, but they aren't actually there.

Good to know! I believe that in the Compro software, they are only selectable via the first tuner (I used it some time ago, and prefer not to install it if it is not necessary - though after installing the Compro software, I see additional decoders (where I currently have LAV) for playback... so maybe I should install it just to get those decoders...). I'm not sure the numbering of tuners is the same, but I'll be sure to check the inputs before disabling the analog device that does not have it. Thanks!

this isn't necessary to make the analog capture device work, as you've found. However, without that entry, NextPVR may attempt to use the same capture device for both analog and digital at the same time which won't work. The results may range from an otherwise harmless failure to start a device, to one recording stomping on the other, to the whole thing locking up.

Thanks for the info. I'll make the change, just to avoid any issues. I probably won't capture from analog while recording from TV, but when things are scheduled or so, who knows...

as to the component input, last time this came up sub said it's not supported; the code doesn't currently enumerate or route the "Video YRYBY In" pin (on the crossbar).

Good to know it is not supported yet (edit: this sounded strange, I meant good to know in the sense that there is no need to look for it further ). If I need it component, I could always get by with the Compro software... I just would like to convert some old home VHS movies, so s-video should suffice (alternative would be s-video -> receiver -> component -> capture, but I'm not sure the conversion to component would improve the recording). The component input on the card also does not support very high resolutions (up to 576p).

For the component input if you can create a graph that it that plays live tv with graphStudioNext you could use Network Recorder with the SageGraphRecorder.

I quickly googled those tools (I'm quite new to this), and it looks very interesting (e.g. the ability to add a USB camera as a channel!). Not sure I'll go that route immediately, but always good to have alternatives in mind.

Thanks guys!